What to Look for in a Dyslexia Tutor

When your child struggles with reading or spelling, finding the right tutor can feel overwhelming. A quick online search will bring up plenty of options — but not all tutors are trained to work with students who have dyslexia. The right match can make all the difference in whether your child grows in confidence and skills.

Here are a few key things to look for:

1. Specialized Training in Dyslexia

Not every tutor has the background to teach kids with dyslexia. Look for someone trained in Structured Literacy approaches, such as Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Barton, or similar programs. These methods are research-backed and designed specifically for dyslexic learners.

2. A Step-by-Step, Multisensory Approach

Children with dyslexia learn best when lessons are explicit, systematic, and multisensory. That means teaching one skill at a time, using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods to reinforce learning. It’s not about memorization — it’s about building true understanding.

3. Patience and Encouragement

Struggling readers often carry a lot of frustration and self-doubt. A good tutor knows how to balance challenge with success so that your child is consistently building confidence instead of shutting down.

4. Customized Lessons (Not Worksheets)

Beware of “one-size-fits-all” tutoring or endless worksheets. A dyslexia tutor should assess where your child’s skills are, then design lessons and practice activities targeted exactly to their needs.

5. Progress You Can See

The right tutor will track progress and share it with you. This helps you see growth, even if it feels slow day-to-day, and gives your child proof that their hard work is paying off.

Hope Starts Here

Choosing a dyslexia tutor is a big decision — but the right support can change your child’s relationship with reading (and school!) for life.

If you’re looking for tutoring designed specifically for dyslexic learners, I’d love to chat about how I can help. You can schedule a free consultation here.